Liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device comprising housing containing a porous nib. The porous nib in the device contacts the sample, collects the sample, stores the sample, transports the sample inside its porous matrix and releases the sample from the porous matrix upon demand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase patent application under 35U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/034046entitled “Liquid Sampling, Storage, Transfer and Delivery Device” filedApr. 18, 2012, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/476,834 filed on Apr. 19, 2011. Both applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides devices useful in liquid sampling,storage, transfer and delivery. The devices comprise a housingcontaining a sintered porous matrix in the form of a porous nib whichcan absorb the liquid sample for storage, transfer and delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid samples are analyzed for many different substances containedwithin the samples in a wide variety of industries. Such industriesinclude but are not limited to biomedical research, clinical chemistry,environmental analysis, forensics, toxicology, pharmacology,petrochemicals, etc. Most laboratories employ devices for handing liquidsamples. There is a need for devices that are capable of efficientlyabsorbing a liquid sample. Such absorbed samples may be analyzed soonafter collection or may be transferred for subsequent analysis at aconvenient time or location. There is a need for such devices to becapable of storing a sample until the time for analysis, when the devicemust release the sample.

Most current sampling devices require a large amount of a sample, suchas blood drawing tubes. With the recent development of massspectrometry, the detection sensitivity has been improved and amount ofsample needed for detection is significantly reduced. In somesituations, it is difficult to obtain a large amount of blood, such asfrom a small experimental animal, a newborn or elderly individuals withvascular problems. What is needed are liquid sampling devices that cancollect relatively small amounts of a sample (less than 1 ml) andpreserve the sample for a prolonged period.

Yet another drawback for most common sampling devices is that theyrequire low temperature preservation. If a device can preserve thesample in an ambient temperature, it will reduce the cost and the chancefor sample degradation. Whatman dry blood cards have been used in samplecollection. However, the dry blood cards are open systems, the samplemay be contaminated during sample storage, or sample transport processby the package materials, adsorption and human error. The dry bloodcards also need to have a separate puncture device, a liquid transferdevice and a cutting device to collect sample and release the sample.Multiple steps increase the chances of human error and contamination.Accordingly, there is a need for sample collection devices that canpuncture the target, collect a small amount of a liquid sample, preservethe sample, treat the sample and release the sample to the downstreamanalytical devices in a closed system.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves these problems and provides a liquidsampling, storage, transfer and delivery device comprising a porouscomponent. The porous component comprises a sintered porous matrix madeby fusing individual particles together in a sintering process to formthe matrix. The porous component in the device contacts the sample,collects the sample, stores the sample, transports the sample inside itsporous matrix and releases the sample from the porous matrix upondemand. The sample originally is in liquid form when contacted by theporous component; however, the sample can be in either a liquid form orin a dry form once inside the porous component. In one embodiment, theliquid sample is a biological fluid. In a specific embodiment, thebiological fluid is blood.

The porous components of the devices comprise porous nibs which areemployed in operation of the device. These devices are employed forsample collection, storage, transport and/or delivery. In oneembodiment, samples are delivered to an analytical device. In anotherembodiment, these porous nibs may be used to apply a solution or asample to a surface. In one embodiment, these porous nibs are sinteredporous nibs.

The porous component in the device can be porous plastics, porousmetals, porous ceramics, and fibers or extruded plastic or metal withinternal channels. In a specific embodiment, the porous plastic is asintered porous plastic. In one embodiment, the porous component is inthe form of a nib. In another embodiment, the nib comprises a nib tipand a nib stem connected to the nib tip. In one embodiment, the porousplastic nibs are removably attached to the stem. Such removableattachment facilitates separation of the nib tip from the stem. Forexample, the nib tip may be pressed against a surface with sufficientforce to separate the nib tip from the stem. In a specific embodiment,the nib has a sharp point. The nib can be molded or ground into adesired shape.

These porous nibs may comprise functional additives that are useful inpreserving an analyte of interest, for example, by lysing cells, byinactivating enzymes that may degrade the analyte, by chelating ions, orby preserving nucleic acids. Functional additives include, but notlimited to the following: polyelectrolytes, C-18, C-8 or C-4 modifiedsilica, silica gel, ion exchange material, controlled porous glass(CPG), solid phase extraction (SPE) media, cell lysis reagents, proteindenaturing additives, chemicals that denature or de-activate proteinsand/or lyse cells, anti-oxidants, chemicals that preserve the analyte tobe measured in the sample, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials, and colorchange indicators, chelating agents, surfactants, DNA stabilizingagents, a weak acid, such as Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), achaotropic agent, an anti-coagulant, or a combination thereof.

Porous nibs may also be surface activated by treating with plasma, forexample, oxygen plasma. Such treatment may increase hydrophilicity ofthe porous nibs.

Porous nibs may be treated with polyelectrolyte solutions to increasehydrophilicity.

In one embodiment, the device is in a writing instrument format. In aspecific embodiment, the device is in a pen format. The porous nib islocated at the tip of the device near the opening of the device. Adevice may contain a plurality of nibs. In one embodiment, the porouscomponent is hydrophilic and liquid can wick into the porous componentthrough capillary force. In one embodiment, the device can be used toapply a solution or a sample to a surface. In another embodiment, thedevice can purify the sample inside its porous component. In anotherembodiment, the device can release the sample to a detection device orto a suitable receptacle for storage, transport or analysis. The devicemay be capped to protect the nibs and prevent contamination of cleannibs or nibs containing a sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Schematic representation of various shapes of nibs withoutbreakable tips and stems.

FIG. 2. Schematic representation of various shapes of with tips, stemsand break points for separation of the tip and stem.

FIG. 3. Scanning electron micrographs of sintered porous plastic nibs(cross-section (left panel) and surface (right panel)).

FIG. 4. Scanning electron micrographs of fiber nibs (cross-section (leftpanel) and surface (right panel)).

FIG. 5. Schematic representations of extruded plastic nibs with internalchannel structure.

FIG. 6. Schematic representations of several shapes of nibs.

FIG. 7. Schematic representation of a pen structure with multiple nibstructure.

FIG. 8. Top view of a schematic representation of a pen 800 with ahousing 810 containing multiple nibs 820 a, 820 b, 820 c.

FIG. 9. Schematic representation of a typical pen structure 900 with ahousing 910, nibs 920 a, 920 b on either end of the pen, nib stems 930a, 930 b on either end of the pen, a reservoir 940, and caps 950 a, 950b on either end of the pen.

FIG. 10. Schematic representation of a typical press active penstructure 1000, with a housing 1010, retractable nib 1020, valve to openand close 1030, reservoir 1040, spring 1050, nib holder 1060, button1070 for depressing the mechanism to push the nib through the opening1080 in the tip of the pen.

FIG. 11. Schematic representation of use of a device with a nib forsampling, storing/transporting and delivering the sample.

FIG. 12. Schematic representation of use of a device with a nibcontaining a tip and a stem for sampling, storing/transporting anddelivering the sample.

FIG. 13. Schematic representation of breaking the nib tip from thedevice and delivering the nib tip into a container.

FIG. 14. Schematic representation of using a press active device forstoring a sample nib inside the device chamber, or in the device tip andreleasing the sample nib into a receptacle by pressing a button. Top:The device chamber contains chemicals for treating the sample nib. Thenib is subsequently released into a receptacle for future testing.Bottom: The chamber is dry and the nib remains in the device tip and iscapped (dotted lines). The nib is released into a receptacle when neededby pressing a button to release the nib.

FIG. 15. Schematic representation of using a press active device forstoring a sample nib inside the device chamber which contains a chemicalto treat and extract the sample inside the nib, and releasing theextraction solution inside the chamber into a receptacle for analysis.

FIG. 16. Schematic representation of using a device for direct couplingto a mass spectrometer for measurement of an analyte inside the samplenib.

FIG. 17. Schematic representation of a nib in a rod form with indentedmarkers. The indented marker can be preset breaking spots. The rod shapenib can move in and out of the device, and break into segments similarto a pencil lead in an automatic pencil, a mechanical pencil or apropelling pencil.

FIG. 18. Standard curve of UV Absorption for serial dilution of caffeinein water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a liquid sampling, storage, transfer anddelivery device comprising a porous component. The porous component inthe device contacts the sample, collects the sample, stores the sample,transports the sample inside its porous matrix and releases the samplefrom the porous matrix upon demand. The sample originally is in liquidform when contacted by the porous component; however, the sample can bein either a liquid form or in a dry form once inside the porouscomponent. In one embodiment, the liquid sample is a biological fluid.In a specific embodiment, the biological fluid is blood.

The porous components of the devices comprise porous nibs which areemployed in operation of the device. These devices are employed forsample collection, storage, transport and/or delivery. In oneembodiment, samples are delivered to an analytical device. In anotherembodiment, these porous nibs may be used to apply a solution or asample to a surface. In one embodiment, these porous nibs are sinteredporous nibs.

The porous component in the device can be porous plastics, porousmetals, porous ceramics, and fibers or extruded plastic or metal withinternal channels. In a specific embodiment, the porous plastic is asintered porous plastic. In one embodiment, the porous component is inthe form of a nib. In another embodiment, the nib comprises a nib tipand a nib stem connected to the nib tip. In one embodiment, the porousplastic nibs are removably attached to the stem. Such removableattachment facilitates separation of the nib tip from the stem. Forexample, the nib tip may be pressed against a surface with sufficientforce to separate the nib tip from the stem. In a specific embodiment,the nib has a sharp point. The nib can be molded or ground into adesired shape.

In one embodiment, the device is in a writing instrument format. In aspecific embodiment, the device is in a pen format. The porous nib islocated at the tip of the device. A device may contain a plurality ofnibs. In one embodiment, the porous component is hydrophilic and liquidcan wick into the porous component through capillary force. In oneembodiment, the device can be used to apply a solution or a sample to asurface. In another embodiment, the device can purify the sample insideits porous component. In another embodiment, the device can release thesample to a detection device or to a suitable receptacle for storage,transport or analysis. The device may be capped to protect the nibs andprevent contamination of clean nibs or nibs containing a sample.

The term animal includes but is not limited to mammals and humans inthis application.

Nibs

The nibs for use in the embodiments described herein may be made from anumber of types of materials and may have a number of various shapes.For example, they may be polymeric, plastic, natural polymers, metal,ceramic, glass, or fiber nibs, examples of which are described furtherbelow. The materials may be sintered in order to create a porousstructure that can absorb, retain and/or store a sample material.Regardless of the type of material used, the nibs may also havefunctional additives incorporated therein. Such additives may enhanceimmobilization of a target molecule. It is possible for the nibs to bedesigned for insertion directly into the device. Examples of such nibsare shown in FIG. 1. It is also possible for the nibs to be used inconnection with a nib stem, such that the nib forms a nib tip and thestem forms a nib stem. Examples of such nibs are shown in FIG. 2.

In general, the nib shapes may be any appropriate shape that allows thenib to perform the desired functions described herein. For example, thenib may provided as a sharp point; a rounded or spherical shape; an ovalshape; an angular shape such as a triangular shape, pyramidal shape, oran angled tip; a square shape, a bullet head shape, a chisel shape, amarker-tip-like shape, a needle shape, a rod shape, an elongatedelement, a short element, or any other appropriate shape that will allowthe nib to achieve the functions described herein. The nibs can also beprovided as a fine tube form that can collect a sample through capillaryforce. In fact, in any of the described shapes, the nibs may define ahollow internal tube or other channel-like portion, which can helpencourage capillary action. Alternatively, the nib may be formedentirely of the desired material without a hollow internal tube orchannel. There may be only one nib provided, or more than one nib may beused, having the same or different shapes and configurations.

Composition and Properties of Nibs

Polymeric Nibs:

Polymeric nibs can be made in different ways and with differentmaterials. Polymeric nibs include:

Plastic Nibs.

The plastic nibs may be made from a variety of plastics such aspolyethylene. Polyethylenes which may be employed include but are notlimited to high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene(LDPE) and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Nibs mayalso be made from polypropylene (PP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),polyamides, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyacrylic nitrile (PAN),ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyesters, polycarbonates, orpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Plastic nibs may also be made from morethan one of the aforementioned plastics. In one embodiment, a plasticnib is made from about 30% PP and about 70% PE (wt:wt %). In otherembodiments when PP and PE are combined, PP may be present in a range offrom about 100% to about 0% and PE may be present in a range of fromabout 0 to about 100% (100% to 0%:0% to 100% wt:wt %). When PE iscombined with other polymers, the PE is present in at least about 50%(wt %).

In one embodiment the plastic is HDPE. In other embodiments the plasticis UHMWPE, PP, polyamides, or polyacrylic nitrile.

Plastic nibs can also contain other additive materials, such as carbon,silica, control porous glass (CPG), ion exchange resins, modifiedsilica, such as C-8 and C-18, or clays for improved binding andpurification properties of the nibs.

In one specific embodiment, plastic nibs are sintered porous plasticnibs.

Plastic Nibs Containing Elastomers

In another embodiment, the plastic porous nibs can also compriseelastomeric particles. Elastomeric particles include but are not limitedto ethylene-styrene-butadiene-ethylene copolymer,polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer, natural rubbers,polyacrylonitrile, and vulcanized rubbers.

In addition to at least one plastic, sintered plastic polymeric nibs ofthe present invention can comprise at least one elastomer. In someembodiments, sintered plastic polymeric nibs of the present inventioncomprise a plurality of elastomers. Elastomers suitable for use insintered plastic polymeric nibs of the present invention, according tosome embodiments, comprise thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Themoplasticelastomers are elastomers that have melting points and do not have achemically crosslinked structure. Thermoplastic elastomers, in someembodiments, comprise polyurethanes and thermoplastic polyurethanes(TPU). Thermoplastic polyurethanes, in some embodiments, includemultiblock copolymers comprising a polyurethane and a polyester orpolyether.

In other embodiments, elastomers suitable for use in sintered plasticpolymeric nibs of the present invention comprise polyisobutylene,polybutenes, butyl rubber, or combinations thereof. In anotherembodiment, elastomers comprise copolymers of ethylene and otherpolymers such as polyethylene-propylene copolymer, referred to as EPM,ethylene-butene copolymer, polyethylene-octene copolymer, andpolyethylene-hexene copolymer. In a further embodiment, elastomerscomprise chlorinated polyethylene or chloro-sulfonated polyethylene.

In some embodiments, elastomers suitable for use in sintered plasticpolymeric nibs of the present invention comprise 1,3-dienes andderivatives thereof. 1,3-dienes include styrene-1,3-butadiene (SBR),styrene-1,3-butadiene terpolymer with an unsaturated carboxylic acid(carboxylated SBR), acrylonitrile-1,3-butadiene (NBR or nitrile rubber),isobutylene-isoprene, cis-1,4-polyisoprene, 1,4-poly(1,3-butadiene),polychloroprene, and block copolymers of isoprene or 1,3-butadiene withstyrene such as styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS). In otherembodiments, elastomers comprise polyalkene oxide polymers, acrylics, orpolysiloxanes (silicones) or combinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, elastomers suitable for use in sinteredpolymeric materials of the present invention, in some embodiments,comprise FORPRENE®, LAPRENE®, SKYPEL®, SKYTHANE®, SYNPRENE®, RIMFLEX®,Elexar, FLEXALLOY®, TEKRON®, DEXFLEX®, Typlax, Uceflex, ENGAGE®,HERCUPRENE®, Hi-fax, Novalene, Kraton, Muti-Flex, EVOPRENE®, HYTREL®,NORDEL®, VITON®, Vector, SILASTIC®, Santoprene, Elasmax, Affinity,ATTANE®, SARLINK®, etc.

The sintered porous plastic nibs have a porosity of from about 20% toabout 80%, from about 25% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, orfrom about 30% to about 50%. The nibs have a pore size of from about 1μm to about 200 μm, from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20μm to about 60 μm. Nibs may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and thisproperty is chosen depending on the sample to be contacted with the nib.In one embodiment, the nibs are hydrophilic so that hydrophilic samplesmay be absorbed into the nib through a capillary force. Hydrophobic nibsmay be used to collect non-aqueous based, low surface tension liquidsamples. Exemplary nib shapes are described above.

Natural Polymer Nibs.

The nibs in this application can also be made from natural polymers,such as cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In another embodiment, thenibs can also be made from natural polymers, such as cellulose andcellulose derivatives, in combination with one or more plastics.

Metal Nibs

In another embodiment the nibs are made from metal, such as sinteredporous metal, metal tubes or balls. The metal nibs may be made from avariety of metals such as steel, stainless steel, copper, titanium,nickel and their alloys.

In one specific embodiment, nibs are sintered metals.

The sintered metal nibs have a porosity of from about 20% to about 80%,from about 25% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, or from about30% to about 50%. The nibs have a pore size of from about 1 μm to about200 μm, from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20 μm to about60 μm. Exemplary nib shapes are described above.

Ceramic Nibs

In another embodiment the nib can be made from ceramics, such assintered porous ceramics, ceramic tubes or balls. The ceramic nibs maybe made from a variety of ceramics, such as alumina, beryllia, ceria,zirconia, carbide, boride, nitride, or silicide.

In one specific embodiment, nibs are sintered porous ceramic.

The sintered ceramic nibs have a porosity of from about 20% to about80%, from about 25% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, or fromabout 30% to about 50%. The nibs have a pore size of from about 1 μm toabout 200 μm, from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20 μm toabout 60 μm. Exemplary nib shapes are described above.

Glass Nibs

Another embodiment of this invention is that the nib can be made fromglass, such as sintered porous glass, glass tubes or balls. The glassnibs may be made from a variety of glasses, such as sodium-lime glass,lead glass, borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, fused silicaglass and bioglass.

In one specific embodiment, nibs are sintered porous glass.

The sintered glass nibs have a porosity of from about 20% to about 80%,from about 25% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, or from about30% to about 50%. The sintered glass nibs have a pore size of from about1 μm to about 200 μm, from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20μm to about 60 μm.

The nibs can be in many molded shapes, such as a sharp point, a roundshape, a spherical shape or an angular shape, such as a triangularshape. The nibs can also be in fine tube form that can collect a samplethrough capillary force.

Plastic Fiber Nibs

In another embodiment, nibs are made from a variety of plastics fibers,such as continuous fibers or staple fibers. Continuous fibers and staplefibers can be monocomponent fibers and/or bicomponent fibers. Examplesof monocomponent fibers include, but are not limited to, glass,polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyacrylic nitrile(PAN), polyamides (Nylons), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), copolyester (CoPET). Plastic fibernibs may further comprise cellulose based fibers such as cotton, rayonand Tencel. Examples of suitable bicomponent fibers include, but are notlimited to, PE/PET, PP/PET, CoPET/PET, PE/Nylon, PP/Nylon, andNylon-6,6/Nylon-6. Plastic fiber nibs may further comprise cellulosebased fibers such as cotton, rayon and Tencel.

Fiber nibs can also be impregnated with other polymers to improve theirstrength, such as polymers including but not limited to thermosettingpolyesters, phenolic resins, epoxy resins and urea resins.

In one specific embodiment, fiber nibs are made from a pultrusionprocess

The fiber nibs have a porosity of from about 4% to about 90%, from about20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 70%, or from about 40% toabout 60%. The fiber nibs have a pore size of from about 1 μm to about200 μm, from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 20 μm to about60 μm.

Fiber nibs may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and this property ischosen depending on the sample to be contacted with the nib. In oneembodiment, the fiber nibs are hydrophilic so that hydrophilic samplesmay be absorbed into the nib through a capillary force.

Exemplary nib shapes are described above. Fiber nibs may have differentshapes, such as bullet head, chisel, etc. The shape can be cut orground. The nib can be in a rod form with indented markers. The indentedmarker can be preset breaking spots. The rod shape nib can move in andout of the device, and break into segments similar to a pencil lead inan automatic pencil, a mechanical pencil or a propelling pencil (FIG.17).

Properties of Nibs

A specific embodiment of this invention is that the amount of absorbedsample is controlled by the size and pore volume of the nib. In onespecific embodiment, the sample volume is controlled by the size andvoid space in the hydrophilic region of the nibs. The nibs in the devicemay be used to deposit a sample on any desired surface.

Nibs may have different shapes chosen for particular applications. Inone embodiment, the nib may be pyramidal in shape with the apex directedaway from the base. In this manner, the point or apex may contact thesample and then may be placed in a mass spectrometer in a manner suchthat voltage is applied to the nib apex to release molecules into themass spectrometer. In one embodiment, the present invention providessintered porous plastic nibs or other porous nibs with at least onesharp point, for example for use in delivery of charged molecules to amass spectrometer. In one embodiment the present invention providessintered porous plastic nibs with at least one sharp point forgenerating an aerosol of charged molecules, such as difficult tovaporize biological molecules, for delivery to a mass spectrometer formeasurement of the biological molecules. In one embodiment, air or acarrying gas may be passed through the sintered porous plastic nibs incombination with application of voltage to deliver charged molecules toa mass spectrometer.

In one embodiment, porous nibs are maintained in a dry condition. Inanother embodiment, porous nibs are maintained in a moist condition. Inanother embodiment, porous nibs are maintained in a moist condition. Inanother embodiment, porous nibs are contain a liquid.

The sample capacity of a nib may be from about 0.1 μl to about 500 μl,from about 1 μl to about 250 μl, from about 3 μl to about 200 μl, fromabout 5 μl to about 150 μl, or from about 10 μl to about 100 μl. Thepore volume of a nib may be greater than about 1 μl or less than about1000 μl, or any value between about 1 μl and about 1000 μl.

Porous nibs may be treated with plasma for surface activation. Plasmatreatment, for example with oxygen plasma, can increase hydrophilicityof the nib. Plasma treatment can use any gas or combination of gases orvapors to provide plastic with hydrophilic properties. Plasma treatmentmay also be used in a cleaning process for the nibs.

Porous nibs may be treated with surfactants as known to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Porous nibs may be treated with polyelectrolyte solutions to increasehydrophilicity. In one embodiment, polyethyleneimine in aqueous oralcoholic solution may be applied to the nibs. Polyelectrolytes arepolymers with electric charges in the polymer chain. Thepolyelectrolytes that may be used in this application include: one ormore of a surfactant, phosphate, polyethylenimine (PEI),poly(vinylimidazoline), quaterized polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyridine,poly(vinylpyrrolidone), polyvinylamines, polyallylamines, chitosan,polylysine, poly(acrylate trialkyl ammonia salt ester), cellulose,poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), polymethylacrylic acid, poly(styrenesulfuricacid), poly(vinylsulfonic acid), poly(toluene sulfuric acid),poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid), poly(glutamic acid), dextransulfate, hyaluric acid, heparin, alginic acid, adipic acid, or chemicaldye. Polyelectrolyte-treated nibs may also receive additionaltreatments, such as exposure to surfactant solutions or heparin.

Functional Additives

Porous nibs may contain functional additives, including but not limitedto the following: polyelectrolytes, C-18, C-8 or C-4 modified silica,silica gel, ion exchange material, controlled porous glass (CPG), solidphase extraction (SPE) media, cell lysis reagents, protein denaturingadditives, chemicals that denature or de-activate proteins and/or lysecells, anti-oxidants, chemicals that preserve the analyte to be measuredin the sample, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials, and color changeindicators, etc.

Porous nibs may contain functional additives such as anti-clottingagents, for example, heparin or warfarin, to retard blood clotformation. Such anti-clotting agents are known to one of ordinary skillin the art of handling blood samples.

Functional additives also include but are not limited to chelatingagents, such as ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), surfactants,such as anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant or non-ionic surfactant,DNA stabilizing agents, such as uric acid or urate salt, or a weak acid,such as Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Functional additivesalso include but are not limited to a chaotropic agent, such as urea,thiourea, guanidinium chloride, or lithium perchlorate. Nibs may alsocontain an anti-coagulant, such as heparin, citrate and/or chelatingagents.

A surfactant can be an anionic surfactant, for example sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium di-bis-ethyl-hexylsulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate or sodiumN-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate, a cationic surfactant, such ascetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or lauryl dimethyl benzyl-ammoniumchloride, a non-ionic surfactant, such as nonylphenoxypolyethoxylethanol (NP-40), Tween-20, Triton-100 or azwitterionic surfactant, such as3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS).Fluorosurfactants may also be used, such as Zonyl® fluorosurfactant fromDuPont. Other surfactants may be employed as known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Different surfactants can be combined together toobtain better hydrophilic results.

The stem portion of a porous plastic nib may contain color changeindicators which change color upon contact with a sample, such as aliquid. By placing color change indicators at specific locations on thestem, the operator can observe the sample volume transported through thetip of the nib and into the nib stem. Color change indicators aredisclosed in US 2008/0199363. This is particularly useful when usingcolorless or slightly colored samples.

These color change indicators are particles that are located in thesintered porous plastic matrix. These particles of color changeindicators are added to the particles of plastic and mixed beforesintering to form the sintered porous plastic matrix. These particles ofcolor change indicators retain particulate characteristics in thesintered porous plastic matrix as they have a higher melting temperaturethan the plastic particles. When particles of color change indicatorsare employed, the sintering temperature is chosen to sinter plasticparticles but not to melt the dye particles.

The functional additives in the nibs can be introduced by co-sintering,solution treatment or both.

In another embodiment, nibs may be used for applying a fluid to asurface. For example, a topical anesthetic, an antiseptic fluid, a woundcare agent, an antibacterial, an antibiotic, betadine, povidone-iodine,detergent, an antiviral, a pharmaceutical, a nutraceutical or a skincare product such as a sun screen, moisturizer or insect repellantsubstance may be applied.

In another embodiment, nibs are sterilized. In yet another embodimentnibs are sterilized before or after surface activation. Sterilizationmay occur using techniques known to one of ordinary skill, such as gammairradiation, plasma, ethylene oxide gas, dry heat or wet heat.

Manufacture of Nibs

In one embodiment, the porous nibs to be inserted in a device, such as awriting instrument-like device or pen-like device are generallycomprised of two components, a nib tip and a nib stem, although in otherembodiments, the tip may be inserted into a device without a nib stem.The nib tip contacts the sample and the nib stem is for inserting thenib into the device. In one embodiment, the nibs are made from moldingprocess by placing plastic particles in a mold of desired shape and thensintering the mold using pressure and heat to form the nib.

The nib tip and nib stem may have the same chemical composition ordifferent chemical compositions. In this embodiment, tips are used tocollect, store, transport and/or deliver the samples and stems are usefor connecting the tip to a housing. In another embodiment, tips areused to collect, store, transport and/or deliver the samples, and stemsare use to connect the tip to a housing and also to collect, store,transport and/or deliver the samples.

For example, in one design, the nib tip may be formed of any of theabove-described materials, and the nib stem, if provided, may be formedof a different material. The nib tip and nib stem may then be welded,sintered, adhered via adhesive, or any other appropriate securingmechanism may be used to secure the two components together.Alternatively, the two different materials may be placed in the samemold and sintered or heated so that they form an integral component. Inanother design, the nib stem, if used, may be formed of the samematerial as the nib tip, such that the entire structure may be formedintegrally or the portions may be independently formed and then securedto one another using any of the above described options. In a furtherdesign, a nib stem is not used and the nib tip itself is designed suchthat it can be directly secured to the device. Based on this design, anib may not have a stem and the whole nib is the tip, such as spherical,conical, triangular, cylindrical or other short or elongated nibs.

In one embodiment of sintered porous plastic nibs, the molding andsintering conditions to make sintered porous nibs depends on thepolymer. One of ordinary skill in the art is familiar with thetemperatures and pressures that are appropriate for specific polymers.

A representative method of making a single component nib follows.Plastic particles, in some embodiments, are sintered at a temperatureranging from about 200° F. to about 700° F. In other embodiments,plastic particles are sintered at a temperature ranging from about 300°F. to about 500° F. The sintering temperature, according to embodimentsof the present invention, is dependent upon and selected according tothe identity of the plastic particles.

Plastic particles, in some embodiments, are sintered for a time periodranging from about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes. In other embodiments,plastic particles are sintered for a time period ranging from about 1minute to about 15 minutes or from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes.In some embodiments, the sintering process comprises heating, soaking,and/or cooking cycles. Moreover, in some embodiments, sintering ofplastic particles is administered under ambient pressure (1 atm). Inother embodiments sintering of plastic particles is administered underpressures greater than ambient pressure. A representative method ofmaking a dual component nib with a different nib tip and nib stemcomposition follows. The method generally includes (a) forming a porousnib and (b securing the porous nib to a pen-like housing. It may alsoinclude methods where forming the porous nib includes forming a porousnib having a nib tip and a nib stem and inserting the nib stem into anopening of the pen-like housing.

The first plastic particle mix is deposited in a tip portion of a mold,the second plastic mix is deposited in a stem portion of the moldadjacent to the first portion of the mold. Next the first plasticparticle mix and second plastic particles mix are sintered to form thenibs containing a tip and a stem.

First plastic particles and second plastic particles, in someembodiments, have average sizes ranging from about 1 μm to about 1 mm.In another embodiment, first plastic particles and second plasticparticles have average sizes ranging from about 10 μm to about 900 μm,from about 50 μm to about 500 μm, or from about 100 μm to about 400 μm.In a further embodiment, first plastic particles and second plasticparticles have average sizes ranging from about 200 μm to about 300 μm.In some embodiments, first plastic particles and second plasticparticles have average sizes less than about 1 μm or greater than about1 mm. Sizes of first plastic particles, second plastic, in someembodiments, are selected independently.

First plastic particles and second plastic particles, in someembodiments, are sintered at a temperature ranging from about 200° F. toabout 700° F. In some embodiments, first plastic particles and secondplastic particles are sintered at a temperature ranging from about 300°F. to about 500° F. The sintering temperature, according to embodimentsof the present invention, is dependent upon and selected according tothe identity of the first plastic particles and second plasticparticles.

First plastic particles and second plastic particles, in someembodiments, are sintered for a time period ranging from about 30seconds to about 30 minutes. In other embodiments, first plasticparticles and second plastic particles are sintered for a time periodranging from about 1 minute to about 15 minutes or from about 5 minutesto about 10 minutes. In some embodiments, the sintering processcomprises heating, soaking, and/or cooking cycles. Moreover, in someembodiments, sintering of first plastic particles and second plasticparticles is conducted under ambient pressure (1 atm). In otherembodiments sintering of first plastic particles and second plasticparticles is conducted under pressures greater than ambient pressure.

A polymeric material, such as a nib, produced by sintering particles offirst plastic particles and second plastic particles, in embodiments ofthe present invention, can comprise a tip region and a stem region, thetip region comprising the sintered first plastic particles or otheradditives, and the stem region comprising the sintered second plasticparticles. The shape of the mold can be any desired shape allowing forthe facile and single-step production.

Nibs can also be made from sintered porous metals, sintered porous glassand sintered porous ceramics. Sintered porous metals and similarproducts are sold by Mott Corporation (Farmington, Conn., USA 06032).Sintered porous glass and glass tubes and similar products are sold byHilgenberg-GMBH (Malsfeld, Germany). Sintered porous ceramics and tubesand similar products are sold by CoorsTek (Golden, Colo., USA). Sinteredmetal, glass and ceramic nibs are made by putting the metal, glass orceramic powder into a mold that results a nib shape, compressing thepowder to form a part, then sintering the part in a oven to make thenib.

Fiber nibs can be made by the processes described in the U.S. Pat. No.5,607,766 and US Patent Application 20020193030.

Examples of potential nib structures are shown in FIG. 1. Examples ofnibs with tip and stem structure are shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2,position A is the nib tip, position B is the nib stem and position C isthe break point if the nib is designed to be broken away from the stemfor separation and further analysis.

In some embodiments nibs do not contain a stem structure. Some of theseexamples are shown in FIG. 1. In these cases, the nib chemistry andstructure are generally uniform.

In the nibs of FIG. 2, tip A and stem B may have the same pore size orpore volume. Alternatively, tip A and stem B may have different poresizes and pore volumes. Tip A and stem B may have differenthydrophobicities. In one embodiment, tip A is hydrophilic and stem B ishydrophobic. In another embodiment, tip A is hydrophobic and stem B ishydrophilic. In another embodiment, tip A is hydrophobic and stem B ishydrophobic. In another embodiment, tip A is hydrophilic and stem B ishydrophilic.

Tip A may also contain functional additives, such as silica, C-4, C-8,C-18 silica, ion exchange, cell lysis and/or protein denaturingmaterials. Stem B may have a color changing material for liquid toindicate a change of color upon contact with a liquid. In anotherembodiment, stem B may contain functional additives, such as silica,C-4, C-8, C-18 silica, ion exchange, cell lysis and/or proteindenaturing materials.

Tip A may contain chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA), surfactants, such as anionic surfactants, cationicsurfactants or non-ionic surfactants, DNA stabilizing agents, such asuric acid or urate salt, or a weak acid, such asTris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Tip A may also containchaotropic agents, such as urea, thiourea, guanidinium chloride, orlithium perchlorate. Tip A may also contain anti-coagulant, such asheparin, and citrate and chelating agents. A surfactant can be ananionic surfactant, for example sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), sodiumdodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate, sodium laurylsarcosinate, sodium di-bis-ethyl-hexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium laurylsulfoacetate or sodium N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate, a cationic surfactant,such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or lauryl dimethylbenzyl-ammonium chloride, non-ionic surfactants, such as nonylphenoxypolyethoxylethanol (NP-40), Tween-20, Triton-100 or azwitterionic surfactant, such as3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS).

The nibs or the nib tips in this invention can absorb 1 μl, 2 μl, 5 μl,10 μl, 20 μl, 50 μl, 100 μl, 200 μl, 500 μl, 1000 μl, 1500 μl, and up to2000 μl liquid samples or any amount between 1 μl and 2000 μl. In oneembodiment, the nibs or nib tips are designed for uptake of apredetermined amount of liquid.

Operation of the Nib with the Tip and Stem.

The nib tip (which may or may not be attached to a stem) is placed incontact with a sample. The sample is absorbed into the nib tip. Thesample may flow through the nib tip and into the attached stem, ifprovided.

At this point, several options exist. The nib tip and nib stem may becovered and stored until the appropriate time to perform a test on thesample contained in either the nib tip or the nib stem. Alternatively,the nib tip and nib stem may be separated and stored individually untilthe appropriate time to perform an assay of one or more analytes in thesample.

The nib with tip and stem structure can be used as a whole. In thismanner, the whole nib may be added to a device, such as a massspectrometer (e.g., so that the porous nib is in proximity to a samplereceiving chamber in the mass spectrometer), so that the massspectrometer may measure aerosolized particles of the sample containedin the nib. This aerosolization may be achieved through a variety ofmeans such as applying a voltage to the nib. In one embodiment, air or acarrying gas may be passed through the sintered porous plastic nibs incombination with application of voltage to aid aerosolization of chargedmolecules for delivery to a mass spectrometer. Laser energy may also beapplied to aerosolize molecules to be detected, for example as inmethods employing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI).MALDI methods may be used in time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers.

Alternatively, the whole nib may also be added to a receptacle such as atest tube, centrifuge tube or assay tube, and the sample may beprocessed, for example by eluting the sample for assay of an analyte.Such receptacles may also contain reagents useful in performing an assayof one or more analytes in the sample. Such reagents are known to one ofordinary skill in the art and are chosen based on the analyte to bemeasured. For example, analyte-specific antibodies, optionally inaddition to a colorimetric indicator may be used to bind to a proteinand develop a color.

The nib tip may be removed from the nib stem. For example, the nib tipmay be pressed against a surface or a container wall with sufficientforce to separate the nib tip from the tip stem. An individual skilledin the art of pipetting can easily apply sufficient force to separatethe nib tip from the nib stem. In this manner, the nib tip may be addedto a device such as a mass spectrometer, so that the mass spectrometermay measure aerosolized particles of the sample contained in the nibtip. This aerosolization may be achieved through a variety of means suchas applying a voltage to the nib tip.

In another embodiment, the nib tip or nib stem may have indentations orother points of relative weakness compared to the non-indented regions.Such indentations may occur at predefined intervals in the length of thenib tip or nib stem. These indentations facilitate breakage of asubsection or segment of the nib tip or nib stem so that individualsegments containing a sample of interest may be separated and analyzedindependently.

Alternatively, the nib tip may also be added to a receptacle such as atest tube, centrifuge tube or assay tube and the sample may beprocessed, for example by eluting the sample for assay of an analyte.Such receptacles may also contain reagents useful in performing an assayof one or more analytes in the sample. Such reagents are known to one ofordinary skill in the art and are chosen based on the analyte to bemeasured. For example, analyte-specific antibodies, optionally inaddition to a colorimetric indicator may be used to bind to a proteinand develop a color.

Following separation of the nib tip from the nib stem, the nib stem canbe stored to retain the sample for future verification purpose. Inanother embodiment, the stem may then be placed in another container sothat the sample contained in the stem may be eluted from the stem foranalysis of an analyte in the sample using an appropriate method. Forexample, in one embodiment, the sample may contain a protein or apeptide and the elution of the protein or the peptide from the stemmakes the protein or peptide available for measurement with ELISA orRIA. In another embodiment, the stem may contain another type ofbiological molecule, such as a lipid, a nucleic acid (for example DNA orRNA), or a neurotransmitter (such as catecholamines, indoleamines,acetylcholine) or metabolite thereof.

A nib without a tip and a stem structure can be used as a whole piece ina similar way to a whole piece nib with a tip and a stem structure.

Device

Housing

The porous nib is generally contained or otherwise secured in a housing.In one embodiment, the housing is in a barrel shape similar to the shapeof a pen. In one embodiment, the housing is electrically conductive. Thehousing will generally have an inner barrel, reservoir, or hollowportion and at least one end that is designed to receive a nib in use.The inner barrel may receive separate reservoir structures, if desired.As shown in FIG. 7, the housing may have a body, a reservoir, and a cap.The reservoir may be provided as a separate element or the reservoir maybe built into the pen body. The use of the term “pen” in this inventionis not intended to refer to a device for applying ink on a surface as awriting instrument, but is instead used to refer to a device which maybe held like a pen and is used as a sample collection device. Exemplarypens are shown in FIGS. 7, 9-10, and 17.

The pen has a nib (for collecting the sample) attached or otherwisesecured at one or both ends and is contained in a housing. The nib maybe friction fit into the pen housing, such that the nib may be pressedinto an opening at an end of the pen and remain securely connectedthereto. In another embodiment, the nib may be secured to (or formedwith) a nib stem, which may then be friction fit into the pen housing.For example, the nib and/or the nib stem may have a geometry and shapethat matches an internal barrel geometry and shape of the pen, such thatthe nib and/or nib stem can be securely connected within the pen.Examples of alternate nib stem shapes are illustrated by FIG. 6. The nibstems may have cross-sectional shapes that are generally round, square,flat or rectangular, star shaped, or any other appropriate shape. It ispossible in this and other embodiments to provide a protrusion at theend of the nib stem that fits into a recess of the pen barrel or viceversa, such that an additional male/female connection secures the niband/or nib stem in place.

A further embodiment is to secure the nib to the pen in such a way thatallows it to be extended and retracted via depression of a button, muchlike a ball point pen. This can help protect the nib from externaldebris and/or from crushing its porous structure if a cap is notprovided (or if the cap is not in place). (An example of this connectionis described with respect to FIG. 10 below.) A further embodiment is tosecure the nib to the pen in such a way that allows it to be extendedfrom the pen via a series of clicks, much like a mechanical pencil. (Anexample of this connection is described with respect to FIG. 17 below.)

A further embodiment is to provide a ball and detent connection systemon the nib stem and the pen, such that pressure on the ball causes aslight recess of the ball (whether on the nib stem or the pen) thatallows it to be positioned in the detent recess (that is positioned onthe other of the nib stem or the pen). Once the ball is slid into adetent; release of the ball causes it to sit firmly in the detentrecess. A further connection method is to provide a J-slot connection,such that a protrusion fits into a J-shaped slot and locks the nibfirmly in place. An alternate connection is to provide an outer base onthe nib (or nib stem) that extends over an outer portion of the end ofthe pen in use, such that the nib acts like a cap positioned on the penend. Any number of additional connection systems between the pen deviceand the nib and/or the nib stem are possible and are considered withinthe scope of this invention, and it should be understood that there aremany ways to insert a nib into a housing to make the form of a pen. Theabove examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limitingin any way.

In one embodiment, a housing can contain more than one nib. The housingcan be provided in many shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, ortriangular. The corresponding nibs are generally similarly shaped. FIG.8 illustrates a schematic representation of a pen 800 with a housing 810containing multiple nibs 820 a, 820 b, 820 c. These nibs may all be thesame material or they may be different materials. Although nibs areshown as having rounded ends, it should be understood that multiple nibshave varying tip shapes may also be used. For example, multiple nibswith pointed ends may be desirable for certain sample collectionscenarios.

FIG. 9 illustrates a pen structure 900 with a housing 910 having nibs920 a, 920 b on either end of the pen. In this embodiment, each nib issecured to a nib stem 930 a, 930 b. Nib stems 930 a and 930 b are influid communication with a reservoir 940, which can be used to collectand store the collected sample. Once the sample has been collected, caps950 a, 950 b are provided on either end of the pen, and can bepositioned in order to prevent the nibs and the sample from drying out.

In one embodiment, the device may advance the nib from within the deviceby downwardly displacing the stem through mechanical means such as apiston, spring or other appropriate means known to one of ordinary skillin the art. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a press active penstructure 1000, with a housing 1010, retractable nib 1020, an optionalvalve to open and close 1030 (in order to protect the nib from debrisand drying out), reservoir 1040, spring 1050, nib holder 1060, andbutton 1070 for depressing the mechanism to push the nib through theopening 1080 in the tip of the pen. In use, depression of the button1070 causes activation of the spring 1050, which causes movement of thenib holder 1060. Pressure of the nib holder 1060 against the valve 1030causes the valve 1030 to open and the nib 1020 to extend from theopening of the pen. Retraction of the nib works similarly.

FIG. 17 illustrates an alternate nib advancement option. A buttonprovided at one end of the pen allows a one-click motion to advance thenib outwardly from the opening at the desired length. This Figure alsoshows an embodiment of a nib in a rod form with one or more indentedmarkers. The indented marker(s) can be preset breaking spots. These maybe formed as slight indents where material is chiseled from the rod,they may be formed as lines of weakness where a material having a lesserstrength is used, they may be formed as portions having more porosityand thus submit to easier breaking, or any other number of methods. Therod shaped nib can move in and out of the device as desired, and canbreak into segments similar to a pencil lead in an automatic pencil, amechanical pencil or a propelling pencil.

In all of these embodiments, the general concept is to secure orotherwise retain the nib with respect to the pen such that the nib canbe extended outside the housing body for use. In one embodiment the nibstem is inserted into or inside the housing body such that the nib tipis generally located outside the housing body, an example of which isshown in FIG. 7. The nib tip may be optionally covered with a cap whenit is not in use. The nib is capped to prevent contamination beforeusing. Before use, the cap is removed and the nib tip is applied to thesample and collects the sample by capillary action. The nib tip can thenbe covered with the cap when it is wet, or after the sample dries,depending on the application. In some embodiments, depending on thesample and analyte of interest, the nib may be maintained in a wetstate. The cap may optionally contain desiccant, an oxygen scavenger orother materials for the purpose of sample preservation. The sample canbe stored or transported for further analysis when desired. When furtheranalysis is need, there are many ways to use this device. One option isto break the nib tip from the pen into another container for furtherpurification, extraction and analysis. Another option is to release theentire nib into another container for further purification, extractionand analysis. In another embodiment, analysis occurs directly on thenib, for example by ionizing and aerosolizing the target molecules foranalysis in a mass spectrometer (MS). This configuration can be alsoused for a nib without a stem. In yet another embodiment, voltage orcurrent may be applied to the housing, particularly when the housing iselectrically conductive, so that target molecules may be released fromthe nib in the housing for analysis in a mass spectrometer (MS). In oneembodiment, air or a carrying gas may be passed through the sinteredporous plastic nibs in combination with application of voltage to aidaerosolization of charged molecules for delivery to a mass spectrometer.Laser energy may also be applied to aerosolize molecules to be detected,for example as in methods employing matrix-assisted laserdesorption/ionization (MALDI). MALDI methods may be used in time offlight (TOF) mass spectrometers.

In one embodiment, a housing can contain more than one nib. The housingcan be in many shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, ortriangular.

In one embodiment, the device is in a pen shape and has a housing, a niband a cap. The nib position is fixed in the housing.

In one embodiment, the device may advance the nib from within the deviceby downwardly displacing the stem through mechanical means such as apiston, spring or other appropriate means known to one of ordinary skillin the art.

As described and shown, devices may contain one or more stem-nibcombinations, each device containing a mechanism for separatelyadvancing a nib from the tip of the device for contact with the sample,such as a separate shaft and spring mechanism. In this manner, a singlenib may be advanced from the device to contact a sample.

The device mechanism for advancing the nib for contact of the nib withthe sample may also contain a mechanism for retracting the nib back intothe device after contact with the sample. After retracting the nib intothe device, the opening of the device which transmitted the nib may becapped, thereby preventing evaporation of sample contained in the nib orcontamination of the sample in the nib. This sample collection andstorage device may be placed in the appropriate storage conditions untilthe operator decides to perform the sample analysis. This samplecollection and storage device may be transported to another location.Devices may optionally contain a storage stabilizing agent, such as adesiccant or an oxygen scavenger. Alternatively the device may not becapped, thereby allowing the sample to dry on the nib and or the stem.

In another embodiment, the device may have one or more reservoirs whichcontain one or more chemicals useful for the purification and separationof an analyte in the sample contained in the nib. When the operator ofthe device chooses to use a reservoir, the fluid in the reservoir cancontact the nib through a channel in the device. For example, thereservoirs may have wet chemicals and fluid in the reservoirs will notcontact the nib until the operator pushes the reservoirs or a mechanismconnected to the reservoirs to allow reservoir fluid to be deliveredinto the nib. The chemicals in the reservoirs can be purificationsolvents, reactive chemicals such as solvents, stabilization chemicals,oxygen scavengers, and growth media, protein precipitation agents orother sample treatment agents, sample detection or sample preservationreagents, etc. In another embodiment, the reservoirs are breakablechambers that contain chemicals. The chemical is released into the nibwhen needed by breaking the chambers with the nib through a mechanicalengagement, for example with the stem of the nib breaking the end of thechamber, and permitting fluid flow through a channel into the nib ordirectly into the nib, in one embodiment by pushing a button.

In another embodiment, the device may have one or more dry reservoirsand the nib tip is connected to the dry reservoirs through the nib stem.When the nib tip contains a sample with target analytes requiringadditional treatment before analysis, the nib tip is dipped into thetreatment solution container, the treatment solution wicks through thetip and then moves into the one or more dry reservoirs. The samplecontaining the analyte in the nib tip is purified during the treatmentsolution wicking process and is ready for next analytical process.

In yet another embodiment, the nib in the device may function as both asampling tip and a solution reservoir. When the sample tip containstarget analytes requiring additional treatment before analysis, the nibtip is dipped into the treatment solution container, the treatmentsolution wicks through the tip and moves into the other end of the nib.The sample containing the analyte in the nib tip is purified during thetreatment solution wicking process and is ready for next analyticalprocess. The target analytes may be in the original sampling tip or atthe other end of the nib depending on the solubility of the targetanalyte in the treatment solution.

The device may be coupled to other devices. In another embodiment, thedevice can be directly inserted into the chamber of a mass spectrometerthrough a connection means such as a port. This connection may takeplace using any appropriate connection or attachment system in order tolocate the nib tip held by the device near a sample port in the massspectrometer such that the molecules may be aerosolized from the nib tipand delivered into the mass spectrometer. Devices may have electrodes ora conductive wire, and electrical potential or current can be directlyapplied to the housing of the devices or to the nibs of the device forgenerating aerosol or electrochemical signals. In yet anotherembodiment, voltage or current may be applied to the housing,particularly when the housing is electrically conductive, so that targetmolecules may be released from the nib in the housing for introductioninto a mass spectrometer (MS). In one embodiment, air or a carrying gasmay be passed through the device and into the sintered porous plasticnibs in combination with application of voltage to aid aerosolization ofcharged molecules for delivery to a mass spectrometer.

The device may have a punch needle to puncture the sample, such asanimal or human skin or other tissues or organs.

The punch needle can be a lancet and the lancet can be placed indifferent locations in the devices. For example, for a device having twoends, one end is the sampling nib and the other end is a lancet. Inanother embodiment, the device may also have a hollowed nib with alancet located in the hollow channel of the hollowed nib.

Types of Samples

Samples include but are not limited to biological and non-biologicalfluids. Biological fluids include but are not limited to bodily fluidssuch as blood, plasma, urine, peritoneal fluid, pulmonary fluid,pericardial fluid, tears, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, lymphatic fluids,gastrointestinal fluids, feces, fluids of the reproductive system, andamniotic fluid. Other biological fluids include but are not limited toculture medium such as cell or tissue culture medium. Non-biologicalfluids include water samples including fresh water, sea water, andwastewater samples, organic solution samples, inorganic solutionsamples, samples from the petrochemical industry such as samples fromoil fields, environmental samples and food samples.

Samples also include but are not limited to tissues, animal or plantcells, microorganisms (for example, bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi),and plasmids. Cells include but are not limited to cultured cells,epithelial cells, mesothelial cells, and endothelial cells. Cells may beobtained from tissues and organs using techniques known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

Target analytes include any desired analyte such as nucleic acid (DNA,RNA), carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, peptides, hormones, antibodies,metabolites, neurotransmitters, immunomodulators, drugs, drugmetabolites, alcohol, ions, and electrolytes.

The present invention has applicability in a wide variety of fieldsincluding but not limited to pharmaceuticals, genomics, molecularbiology, molecular diagnostics, DNA analysis for genetic identificationof a sample and its origin, whole genome amplification, proteomics,forensic science, blood and tissue typing, toxicology, pharmacology,drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, plasmid screening, food andagricultural testing, animal identification, endocrinology, pregnancytesting, drug testing, and microbiology, In vitro diagnostic (IVD), hometesting laboratory kits for example plasma glucose and insulin testing,etc, that require less sample, easy handling, storage, transportation,and accuracy sample measurement.

One specific application of present invention is to collect small volumeblood samples from animals and humans for drug metabolic,pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicokinetic (TK) investigations in thepharmaceutical industry.

Samples may also include non-biological samples, such as organic andinorganic samples. Such organic and inorganic samples include but arenot limited to toxins, petrochemicals, and water.

The devices in this invention can be also used to collect, store, andtransport bacteria and virus samples, for example bacteria and virusesin culture media.

Methods of Use

There are a number of ways that the device may be used. For example, thedevice may be used by contacting the porous nib with a liquid sample tobe collected, and allowing the liquid sample to be absorbed into theporous nib. The sample may be allowed to dry on the porous nib or it mayremain in its liquid form. Once the sample has been collected, it ispossible to cap the nib and device, retract the nib into the device, orboth. In one embodiment, the device is provided with a lancet forpunching the skin. In this instance, the methods steps for use include:(a) piercing skin of an animal or mammal with the lancet to releaseblood; (b) contacting the blood with the porous nib; (c) allowing theblood to be absorbed into the porous nib; (d) allowing the blood to dryon the porous nib; and, (e) capping the porous nib in the devicehousing. Other methods of use include releasing the porous nib into acontainer; extracting an analyte from the nib with a solvent or asolution; and detecting the extracted solution for analysis of selectedanalytes. Further methods include the use of mass spectrometry to detectthe targeted analyte in the extracted solution. In instances where thesample has been dried, the methods may include: (a) wetting the porousnib containing the dried sample with a solution; (b) applying anelectrical potential to the wet porous nib; and (c) detecting ionizedanalytes released from the wet porous nib using a mass spectrometer.Alternatively, methods may include (a) wetting the porous nib containingthe dried sample with a solution; (b) applying the wet porous nib to asurface in order to transfer sample from the wet porous nib to thesurface; (c) introducing the surface into the mass spectrometer, and (d)detecting ionized analytes released from the surface using the massspectrometer.

In one embodiment, the device is used with a MALDI TOF massspectrometer. The nib containing analytes is rewetted with MALDI matrixsolution. The matrix solution generally consists of crystallizedmolecules, of which the three most commonly used are3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapinic acid),α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (alpha-cyano or alpha-matrix) and2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). A solution of one of these molecules ismade, often in a mixture of highly purified water and an organic solvent(normally acetonitrile (ACN) or ethanol). Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) mayalso be added. An example of a matrix-solution is 20 mg/mL sinapinicacid in ACN:water:TFA (50:50:0.1). Next, the matrix solution in the nibis applied to a MALDI plate. The plate is then dried and ready for MALDITOF MS analysis.

The following examples will serve to further illustrate the presentinvention without, at the same time, however, constituting anylimitation thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood thatresort may be had to various embodiments, modifications and equivalentsthereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritof the invention.

Example 1 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and Delivery Devicewith Sintered Polyethylene Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a pyramidal-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib hasaverage pore size of 25 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib is designedto take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib is pure polyethylene and free ofadditives that may affect future assays. The nib is preferably plasmatreated for improved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possible transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now isready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 2 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polyethylene Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a pyramidal-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib hasaverage pore size of 25 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib is designedto take up 25 μl of liquid. Other than polyethylene, the nib alsocontains EDTA, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and uric acid for samplepreservation.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possible transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample is nowready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 3 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polypropylene Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a pyramidal-shaped sintered porouspolypropylene nib with a sharp apex. The polypropylene porous nib hasaverage pore size of 90 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib is designedto take up 50 μl of liquid. The nib is preferably plasma treated forimproved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile.

The rat is anesthetized and its tail vein is used to obtain a sample ofblood. The pen is used to advance the nib in order to contact the blood.The apex of the nib contacts the blood which is absorbed by capillaryaction into the nib until it is full. When the nib is full, the nibcontains 50 μl of a rat blood sample. The nib is left open to theatmosphere until the sample dries and is then capped for storage andpossible transport. When the sample needs to be tested, the cap isremoved and nib is released from the pen into a receptacle. The deviceprovides precise sampling (sample size is determined by the nib size)and ease of use. The device also prevents contamination, and provides astable way to collect, store and transport biological samples.

Example 4 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nib with a sharp apex. The PVDFporous nib has an average pore size of 30 μm and about 50% porosity. Thenib is designed to take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib is pure PVDF andfree of additives that may affect assays. The nib is preferably plasmatreated for improved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possibly transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now isready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 5 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polyamide (Nylon) Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous polyamide (Nylon) nib with a sharp apex. The nylon porous nib hasaverage pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib is designedto take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib is pure Nylon and free of additivesthat may affect assays. The nib is preferably plasma treated forimproved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possibly transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now isready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 6 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Poly(Tetrafluoroethylene) Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) nib with a sharp apex. The PTFEporous nib has average pore size of 35 μm and about 50% porosity. Thenib is designed to take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib may have surfactantfor improved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possible transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now isready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 7 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Polyacrylic Fiber Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous polyacrylic fiber nib with a sharp apex. The polyacrylic fibernib has average porosity over 60% porosity. The nib is designed to takeup 50 μl of liquid.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile.

The rat is anesthetized and its tail vein is used to obtain a sample ofblood. The pen is used to advance the nib in order to contact the blood.The apex of the nib contacts the blood which is absorbed by capillaryaction into the nib until it is full. When the nib is full, the nibcontains 50 μl of a rat blood sample. The nib is left open to theatmosphere until the sample dries and is then capped for storage andpossible transport. When the sample needs to be tested, the cap isremoved and nib is released from the pen into a receptacle. The deviceprovides precise sampling (sample size is determined by the nib size)and ease of use. The device also prevents contamination, and provides astable way to collect, store and transport biological samples.

Example 8 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Stainless Steel Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous stainless steel nib with a sharp apex. The stainless steel porousnib has average pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib isdesigned to take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib is pure stainless steel andfree of additives that may affect assays.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl ratblood sample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sampledries and is then capped for storage and possible transport. When thesample needs to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released fromthe pen into a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now isready for further testing. The device provides precise sampling (samplesize is determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device alsoprevents contamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store andtransport biological samples.

Example 9 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Ceramic Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous ceramic nib with a sharp apex. The ceramic porous nib has averagepore size of 10 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib is designed to takeup 25 μl of liquid. The nib is pure ceramic and free of additives thatmay affect future assays.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled over time toexamine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order toestablish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and itstail vein is used to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of the nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a 25 μl rat bloodsample. The nib is left open to the atmosphere until the sample driesand is then capped for storage and possible transport. When the sampleneeds to be tested, the cap is removed and nib is released from the peninto a receptacle. The dry nib with original blood sample now is readyfor further testing. The device provides precise sampling (sample sizeis determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device also preventscontamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store and transportbiological samples.

Example 10 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polyethylene Nib with Tip and Stem Structure

A device with a pen shape containing a long triangular-shaped sinteredporous polyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nibhas average pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. The nib tip isdesigned to take up 25 μl of liquid and nib stem is designed to hold 50μl of liquid. The nib is pure polyethylene and free of additives thatmay affect future assays. The nib is preferably plasma treated forimproved hydrophilicity. A sample of blood is taken from a rat. The penis used to advance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex ofthe nib contacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action intothe nib until it is full. When the nib is full, the nib tip contains 25μl of the rat blood sample and stem contains 50 μl of the rat bloodsample. The nib is left open until dried and then capped for storage andpossible transport. When the sample needs to be tested, the cap isremoved and nib tip is released from the pen into a receptacle. The drynib with the original 25 μl blood sample now is ready for furtheranalysis. The 50 μl blood sample in the stem is retained for furthertesting. The stem may have clear marks for future division of the steminto segments for separate analyses. The device provides precisesampling (sample size is determined by the nib size) and ease of use.The device also prevents contamination, and provides a stable way tocollect, store and transport biological samples.

Example 11 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polyethylene Nib with C-18 Silica

A device with a pen shape contains a cone-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib has anaverage pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. Other thanpolyethylene, the nib is also comprised of 40% C-18 silica particles.The nib is designed to take up 100 μl of liquid. The nib also contains asmall amount of surfactant for improved hydrophilicity. The pen is usedto advance the nib in order to contact the liquid. The apex of the nibcontacts the liquid which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib tip contains 100 μl ofliquid sample. The nib is left open until dried and then capped forstorage and possible transport. When the sample needs to be tested, thecap is removed and nib tip is released from the pen into a receptacle.The device provides precise sampling (sample size is determined by thenib size) and ease of use. The device also prevents contamination, andprovides a stable way to collect, store and transport liquid samples,for example biological samples.

Example 12 Sample Collection and Purification Devices with a SinteredPolyethylene Nib Containing C-18 Silica and a Dry Reservoir

A device with a pen shape contains a cone-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib has anaverage pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. Other thanpolyethylene, the nib is also comprised of 40% C-18 silica particles.The nib is designed to take up 100 μl of liquid. The nib may alsocontain a small amount of surfactant for improved hydrophilicity. Thepen is used to advance the nib in order to contact the liquid. The apexof the nib contacts the liquid which is absorbed by capillary actioninto the nib until it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains100 μl of liquid sample. After the sample is taken, the dry reservoir isengaged with the nib and pen nib can be dipped into a washing solutionand the solution will continuously wick through the nib and reach thereservoir. Unwanted materials will be washed into the reservoir whileconcentrated and purified target analytes remain in the nib. Then thenib with purified sample now is ready for further testing. This deviceprovides an easy way to collect and purify a liquid sample.

Example 13 Sample Collection and Purification Devices with a SinteredPolyethylene Nib Containing Controlled Porous Glass (CPG) and a DryReservoir

A device with a pen shape contains a cone-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib has anaverage pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. Other thanpolyethylene, the nib is also comprised of 30% CPG particles. The nib isdesigned to take up 100 μl of liquid. The nib may also contain a smallamount of surfactant for improved hydrophilicity. The pen is used toadvance the nib in order to contact the liquid. The apex of the nibcontacts the liquid which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it full. When the nib is full, the nib contains 100 μl of liquidsample. After the sample is taken, the dry reservoir is engaged with thenib and pen nib can be dipped into a washing solution, the solution willcontinuously wick through the nib and reach the reservoir. Unwantedmaterials will be washed into the reservoir and concentrated whilepurified target molecules remain in the nib. Then the nib containing thepurified sample now is ready for further testing. This device providesan easy way to collect and purify a liquid sample.

Example 14 Sample Collection and Purification Devices with a SinteredPolyethylene Nib Containing Ion Exchange Resin and a Dry Reservoir

A device with a pen shape contains a cone-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib has anaverage pore size of 40 μm and about 40% porosity. Other thanpolyethylene, the nib is also comprised of ion exchange resin particles.The nib is designed to take up 100 μl of liquid. The nib also contains asmall amount of surfactant for improved hydrophilicity. The pen is usedto advance the nib in order to contact the liquid. The apex of the nibcontacts the liquid which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains 100 μl ofliquid sample. After the sample is taken, the dry reservoir is engagedwith the nib and the pen nib can be dipped into washing solution, thesolution will continuously wick through the nib and reach the reservoir.Unwanted materials will be washed into the reservoir while concentratedand purified target analytes remain in the nib. Then the nib withpurified sample now is ready for further testing. This device providesan easy way to collect and purify a liquid sample.

Example 15 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Polyethylene Nib Containing C-18 Silica and a WetReservoir

A device with a pen shape contains a cone-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene nib with a sharp apex. The polyethylene porous nib has anaverage pore size of 20 μm and about 40% porosity. Other thanpolyethylene, the nib is also comprised of 40% C-18 silica particles.The nib is designed to take up 100 μl of liquid. The nib also contains asmall amount of surfactant for improved hydrophilicity. The pen is usedto advance the nib in order to contact the liquid. The apex of the nibcontacts the liquid which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib tip contains 100 μl ofliquid sample. The nib is left open until dried and then capped forstorage and possible transport. When the sample needs to be tested, thecap is removed and wet reservoir is engaged with the nib. The solutioninside the wet reservoir releases from the reservoir, wicks through theporous nib and carries the sample in the nib with the solution. Thesolution is tested for the target molecules. The device provides precisesampling (sample size is determined by the nib size) and ease of use.The device also prevents contamination, and provides a stable way tocollect, store and transport liquid samples, for example biologicalsamples.

Example 16 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Porous Spherical Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a spherical-shaped sintered porouspolyethylene (30%) and polypropylene (70%) nib (wt %). The sinteredporous nib has an average pore size of 75 μm and about 40% porosity. Thenib is designed to take up 25 μl of liquid. The nib is preferably plasmatreated for improved hydrophilicity.

A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and is sampled over time to examinethe concentration of the drug and its metabolites in order to establisha pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetized and its tail vein isused to obtain a sample of blood. The pen is used to advance the nib inorder to contact the blood. The apex of the nib contacts the blood whichis absorbed by capillary action into the nib until it full. When the nibis full, the nib contains a 25 μl rat blood sample. The nib is left opento the atmosphere until the sample dries and is then capped for storageand possibly transport. When the sample needs to be tested, the cap isremoved and nib is released from the pen into a receptacle. The dry nibwith original blood sample now is ready for further testing. The deviceprovides precise sampling (sample size is determined by the nib size)and ease of use. The device also prevents contamination, and provides astable way to collect, store and transport biological samples.

Example 17 Sample Collection, Storage, Transportation and DeliveryDevices with Sintered Porous Long Rod Nib

A device with a pen shape contains a 2 mm wide and 10 cm long rod-shapedsintered porous polyethylene nib. The sintered porous nib has an averagepore size of 25 μm and about 60% porosity. The rod-shaped nib isdesigned to take up 10 μl of liquid in 5 mm of length. The nib ispreferably plasma treated for improved hydrophilicity. The pen is usedto advance the long rod nib in order to contact the blood. The nibcontacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into the nibuntil it is full. When the nib is full, the nib contains a total of 200μl blood. The long rod nib is left open until the sample dries and isthen retracted into the pen and capped for storage and possibletransport. When the sample needs to be tested, the cap is removed andnib is released from the pen into a receptacle. The long rod nib is premarked with break points every 5 mm in length. The long rod nib can bedivided into segments placed into different receptacle containers formultiple assays. The dry nib with the original blood sample now is readyfor further testing. The device provides precise sampling (sample sizeis determined by the nib size) and ease of use. The device also preventscontamination, and provides a stable way to collect, store and transportbiological samples.

Example 18 Device for Delivery of the Sample to Mass Spectrometer

The device described in any one of examples 1-16 is mounted into a massspectrometer. The nib is saturated with 50% water and 50% acetonitrile(ACN) solution that either contains NH₄OH or formic acid. An electricalpotential is applied to the nib through the pen and a carry gas is movethrough the nib. This process generates a finely charged aerosol fordirect mass spectrometer measurement on the sample stored in the nib.This process significantly reduces the complexity of sample preparationfor mass spectrometry.

Example 19 Device for Use in Sample Collection and Delivery of theSample to a Mass Spectrometer and Other Assay Equipment

A device with a pen shape containing a pyramidal-shaped nib with a sharpapex and removably attached stem is used in this example to sampleblood. A 150 gm rat is injected with a drug and blood is sampled overtime to examine the concentration of the drug and its metabolites inorder to establish a pharmacokinetic profile. The rat is anesthetizedand its tail vein is used to obtain a 25 μl sample of blood. The pen isused to advance the nib in order to contact the blood. The apex of thenib contacts the blood which is absorbed by capillary action into thenib and then into the stem. When the stem is full, the nib tip ispressed against a receptacle used to introduce the nib tip into a massspectrometer. The apex of the nib tip is then subjected to an electronspray to ionize the blood sample which is then introduced into the massspectrometer for analysis. The drug and its metabolites are measured.

The stem is then placed into a test tube for subsequent analysis of thepituitary hormones prolactin and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH),suspected of being released by the injected drug. This hormone analysisis performed using techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art,such as ELISA or radioimmunoassay.

Another pen is used at each subsequent sampling of the rat tail vein. Apharmacokinetic profile for the drug, its metabolites, prolactin andACTH is established. The rat experiences minimal blood loss.

Example 20 Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Powdered polyethylene having an average particle size of about 150 μmwas filled into cavities of an aluminum mold with vibration, heated to350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to roomtemperature in about five minutes. The sintered porous polyethylene nibshad an average pore size of about 30 μm and porous volume of about 40%.

Example 21 Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Powdered UHMWPE polyethylene having an average particle size of about 30μm was filled into cavities of an aluminum mold with vibration, heatedto 350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to roomtemperature in about five minutes. The sintered porous UHMWPEpolyethylene sampling nibs had an average pore size of about 10 μm andporous volume of about 40%.

Example 22 Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Powdered high density polyethylene having an average particle size ofabout 300 μm was filled into cavities of an aluminum mold withvibration, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes and subsequentlycooled to room temperature in about five minutes. The sintered poroushigh density polyethylene sampling nibs had an average pore size ofabout 80 μm and porous volume of about 40%.

Example 23 Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Powdered polystyrene having an average particle size of about 180 μm wasfilled into cavities of an aluminum mold with vibration, heated to 370°F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to room temperaturein about five minutes. The sintered porous polystyrene sampling nibs hadan average pore size of about 45 μm and porous volume of about 40%.

Example 24 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Sintered porous sampling nibs from examples 20-23 were treated with lowpressure plasma. The sample nibs were treated with oxygen plasma at 100millitor (mtorr) and 100 watts (W) for 10 minutes in a plasma machine(Europlasma, Oudenaards, Belgium). The nibs became hydrophilic andadsorbed 20 μl deionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μldeionized water was placed on the tip of the nib with a pipette.

Example 25 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib

Sintered porous sampling nibs from examples 20-23 were treated withsurfactants. The sample nibs were immersed in a solution comprising 79%deionized water, 20% isopropyl alcohol and 1% Tween® 20 at roomtemperature for 12 hours and dried at 70° F. for 8 hours in an oven. Thenibs became hydrophilic and adsorbed 20 μl deionized water in less than3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water was placed on the tip of the nibwith a pipette.

Example 26 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising DryAnionic Surfactants

A powdered mixture comprising 99.7% of polyethylene powders having anaverage particle size of about 160 μm and 0.3% of sodiumN-methyl-oleoyltaurate (wt %) was filled into cavities of an aluminummold with vibration, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes andsubsequently cooled to room temperature in about five minutes. Thesintered porous polyethylene sampling nibs had an average pore size ofabout 30 μm and porous volume of about 40%. The nibs were hydrophilicand adsorbed 20 μl deionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μldeionized water was placed on the tip of the nib with a pipette.

Example 27 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising DryAnionic Surfactants

A powdered mixture comprising 99.5% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 0.5% of sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) powder is filled into the cavities of an aluminum mold, heated to350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently is cooled to roomtemperature in about five minutes. The sintered porous UHMWPEpolyethylene sampling nibs have an average pore size of about 10 μm andporous volume of about 40%. The nibs are hydrophilic and adsorb 20 μldeionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water isplaced on the tip of the nib with a pipette.

Example 28 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising DryCationic Surfactants

A powdered mixture comprising 99% of polyethylene powders having anaverage particle size of about 150 μm and 1% of cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) is filled into the cavities of an aluminum mold, heatedto 350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to roomtemperature in about five minutes. The resulting sintered porouspolyethylene sampling nibs have an average pore size of about 30 μm andporous volume of about 40%. The nibs are hydrophilic and adsorb 20 μldeionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water isplaced on the tip of a nib with a pipette.

Example 29 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising DryCationic Surfactants

A powdered mixture comprising 99% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 1% of cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) is filled into the cavities of an aluminum mold, heatedto 350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to roomtemperature in about five minutes. The sintered porous UHMWPEpolyethylene sampling nibs have an average pore size of about 10 μm andporous volume of about 40%. The nibs are hydrophilic and adsorb 20 μldeionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water isplaced on the tip of a nib with a pipette.

Example 30 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib with MultilayerPolyelectrolyte Coating

Sintered porous sampling nibs from example 24 were further treated withpolyelectrolyte solution to improve hydrophilic stability. The freshlyplasma treated sample nibs were immersed in 0.25% polyethylenimine (750KDa) water-alcohol solution (80% deionized water and 20% isopropylalcohol) at room temperature for 10 minutes and dried at 50° F. for 10minutes in an oven and then immersed in 0.25% polyacrylic acid (250 KDa)water-alcohol solution (80% deionized water and 20% isopropyl alcohol)at room temperature for 10 minutes and dried at 50° F. for 10 minutes.The nibs were hydrophilic and adsorbed 20 μl deionized water in lessthan 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water was placed on the tip of a nibwith a pipette.

Example 31 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib with Polyelectrolyteand Surfactant Coating

Sintered porous sampling nibs from example 24 were further treated witha polyelectrolyte solution to improve hydrophilic stability. The freshlyplasma treated sample nibs were immersed in 0.25% polyethylenimine (750KDa) water-alcohol solution (80% deionized water and 20% isopropylalcohol) at room temperature for 10 minutes and dried at 50° F. for 10minutes in an oven and then immersed in 0.1% Zonyl® FSK water-alcoholsolution (80% deionized water and 20% isopropyl alcohol) at roomtemperature for 10 minutes and dried at 50° F. for 10 minutes. The nibswere hydrophilic and adsorbed 20 μl deionized water in less than 3seconds when 20 μl deionized water was placed on the tip of the nib witha pipette.

Example 32 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib with Heparin

Sintered porous sampling nibs from examples 20-23 are treated withsurfactant and heparin. The sample nibs are immersed in awater-isopropyl alcohol solution (80:20) comprising 1% Tween® 20 and0.5% heparin sodium salt at room temperature for 12 hours and dried at70° F. for 8 hours in an oven. The nibs become hydrophilic and adsorb 20μl deionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water isplaced on the tip of a nib with a pipette.

Example 33 Hydrophilic Sintered Porous Sampling Nib with Polyelectrolyteand Heparin Coating

Sintered porous sampling nibs from example 24 are further treated withpolyelectrolyte solution and heparin solution to improve bloodcompatibility. The freshly plasma treated sample nibs are immersed in0.25% polyethylenimine (750 KDa) in a water-alcohol solution (80%deionized water:20% isopropyl alcohol) at room temperature for 10minutes, dried at 50° F. for 10 minutes in an oven and then immersed ina 0.1% heparin sodium salt water solution at room temperature for 10minutes and dried at 50° F. for 10 minutes The nibs are hydrophilic andadsorb 20 μl deionized water in less than 3 seconds when 20 μl deionizedwater is placed on the tip of a nib with a pipette.

Example 34 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising C-18Silica Gel

A powdered mixture comprising 70% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 30% of C-18 silica gel withaverage particle size of 30 μm is filled into the cavities of analuminum mold, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes andsubsequently cooled to room temperature in about five minutes. Thesintered porous composite nib has an average pore size of about 10 μmand porous volume of about 40%. The nibs can be further treated withsurfactant solution to provide hydrophilicity.

Example 35 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising IonExchange Resins

A powdered mixture comprising 70% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 30% of Dowex® 50WX2 fine meshresin (200 to 400 meshes) with average particle size of 50 μm is filledinto the cavities of an aluminum mold, heated to 350° F. for about threeminutes and subsequently cooled to room temperature in about fiveminutes. The sintered porous composite nib has an average pore size ofabout 12 μm and porous volume of about 40%. The nibs can be furthertreated with surfactant solution to provide hydrophilicity.

Example 36 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising ChelatingAgents

A powdered mixture comprising 95% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 5% ofethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) powder with average particle sizeof 50 μm is filled into the cavities of an aluminum mold, heated to 350°F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooled to room temperaturein about five minutes. The sintered porous composite nib has an averagepore size of about 10 μm and porous volume of about 40%. The nibs can befurther treated with surfactant solution to provide hydrophilicity.

Example 37 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising DNAStabilizing Agents

A powdered mixture comprising 98% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 2% of uric acid powder withaverage particle size of 50 μm is filled into the cavities of analuminum mold, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes andsubsequently cooled to room temperature in about five minutes. Thesintered porous composite nib has an average pore size of about 10 μmand porous volume of about 40%. The nibs can be further treated withsurfactant solution to provide hydrophilicity.

Example 38 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib ComprisingChaotropic Agents

A powdered mixture comprising 98% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm and 2% of guanidinium chloridepowder with average particle size of 50 μm is filled into the cavitiesof an aluminum mold, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes andsubsequently cooled to room temperature in about five minutes. Thesintered porous composite nib has an average pore size of about 10 μmand porous volume of about 40%. The nibs can be further treated withsurfactant solution to provide hydrophilicity.

Example 39 Sintered Hydrophilic Porous Sampling Nib Comprising MultipleAdditives for Blood Preservation

A powdered mixture comprising 90% of UHMWPE polyethylene having anaverage particle size of about 30 μm, 2% of uric acid powder withaverage particle size of 50 μm, 2% of guanidinium chloride powder withaverage particle size of 50 μm, 5% of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA) powder with average particle size of 50 μm and 1% of sodiumdodecyl sulfate (SDS) powder is filled into the cavities of an aluminummold, heated to 350° F. for about three minutes and subsequently cooledto room temperature in about five minutes. The sintered porous compositenib has an average pore size of about 12 μm and porous volume of about40%. The nibs are hydrophilic and adsorb 20 μl deionized water in lessthan 3 seconds when 20 μl deionized water is placed on the tip of a nibwith a pipette.

Example 40 Recovery of Caffeine from Sintered Hydrophilic Nib

A Porex hydrophilic sintered polyethylene pen nib with an average poresize of 40 microns and pore volume of 38% was selected for test samplingproperties. Artificial plasma was formulated with phosphate buffer, redfood dye, bovine serum albumin and sodium azide. Different volumes (10μl, 20 μl, 40 μl, and 100 μl of the artificial plasma were absorbed intodifferent porous nibs. These different nibs had clearly visibledifferences in the amount of sample as indicated by the extent of thedye.

Caffeine was obtained from Sigma Aldrich. Caffeine was mixed withartificial plasma to form a 10 mg/ml solution. A caffeine standardsolution (10 mg caffeine/ml) was made and serially diluted in deionizedwater solution. The standard UV absorption curve for these seriallydiluted caffeine solutions is shown in FIG. 18. The UV absorption wasmeasured on a Thermo-Fisher NanoDrop 2000 machine. The caffeine wasmeasured at the wavelength of 273 μm. The wavelength selection was basedon the caffeine UV absorption curve and the UV absorption curve forartificial plasma.

20 μl of artificial plasma containing 10 mg/ml caffeine (total of 200 μgcaffeine) was adsorbed into a Porex nib. The nib was dried at roomtemperature open to air for 2 hours. The Porex nib was cut with a bladeto remove the sample containing caffeine, as indicated by the dye. Thesamples of the cut nib containing the caffeine sample was separatelytransferred into a 7 ml glass vial. The sample in the vial was extractedwith 1 ml deionized water for 2 hours.

The UV absorption of this aqueous extract was measured for the samplewith artificial plasma and the sample with caffeine in the artificialplasma. The difference for the same sample with and without caffeine wasmeasured for caffeine released from the nib sample. The readings wereestimated to the closest 5 μg/ml using the caffeine deionized waterstandard curve. The results in Table 1 show a caffeine recovery of 77%from the nib.

TABLE 1 Caffeine recovery for Porex nib UV Absorption Measured CaffeineSample (273 nm) Factor (size) Concentration (μg) Recovery % Porex nib0.70 1 155 77

All patents, publications and abstracts cited above are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. It should be understood that theforegoing relates only to preferred embodiments of the present inventionand that numerous modifications or alterations may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and the scope of the present inventionas defined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for liquid sample collection,drying, storage, and analysis comprising: a sintered porous plastic nibconfigured to collect a liquid sample, to absorb a controlled amount ofthe liquid sample as defined by size and void spaces of the nib, and toallow the liquid sample to dry on the nib; and, a housing configured tosupport the nib during sample collection and to allow removal of the nibfrom the housing for analysis of the liquid sample.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the housing comprises a system for advancing andretracting the porous nib through an opening in the housing.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a cap.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the porous nib comprises a nib tip and a nib stem.
 5. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the porous nib comprises plastic, metal, glass, orceramic.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the porous plastic nibcomprises polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride,polyamide, polyacrylate, polyacrylic nitrile, ethylene-vinyl acetate,polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, orcellulose, or a combination thereof.
 7. The device of claim 6, whereinthe porous plastic nib comprises polyethylene and the polyethylene ishigh density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, or ultra highmolecular weight polyethylene, or a combination thereof.
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the device is in a shape of a pen.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the porous nib comprises one or more preset markersthat allow the porous nib to break into segments.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a reservoir.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device may be connected to a massspectrometer so that the porous nib is in proximity to a samplereceiving chamber in the mass spectrometer.
 12. The device of claim 1,wherein the device stores a sample, transports a sample, or delivers asample to a receptacle.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the porousnib further comprises a functional additive.
 14. The device of claim 1,wherein the housing is electrically conductive.
 15. A method of usingthe device of claim 1, comprising (a) contacting the porous nib with aliquid sample to be collected; and, (b) allowing the liquid sample to beabsorbed into the porous nib.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising allowing the sample to dry on the porous nib.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further comprising capping the nib, retracting the nib intothe device, or both.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising (a)releasing the porous nib into a container; (b) extracting an analytefrom the nib with a solvent or a solution; and, (c) detecting theanalyte in the extracted solution.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe detecting the analyte in the extracted solution is conducted using amass spectrometer.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: (a)wetting the porous nib containing the dried sample with a solution; (b)applying an electrical potential to the wet porous nib; and, (c)detecting ionized analytes released from the wet porous nib using a massspectrometer.
 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising: (a)wetting the porous nib containing the dried sample with a solution; and(b) applying the wet porous nib to a surface to transfer sample from thewet porous nib to the surface; (c) introducing the surface into a massspectrometer; and, (d) detecting ionized analytes released from the nibusing the mass spectrometer.
 22. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a lancet for punching the skin.
 23. A method of using thedevice of claim 22, comprising: (a) piercing skin of an animal with thelancet to release blood; (b) contacting the blood with the porous nib;(c) allowing the blood to be absorbed into the porous nib; and (d)allowing the blood to dry on the porous nib.
 24. The method of claim 22,further comprising capping the porous nib in the device housing.
 25. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the controlled amount of the liquid samplecomprises about 1 μl to about 250 μl.
 26. The device of claim 1, whereinthe controlled amount of the liquid sample comprises about 10 μl toabout 100 μl.
 27. The device of claim 1, wherein the nib collects up toabout 10 μl of liquid in 5 mm of length.
 28. The device of claim 1,wherein the porous nib is treated with plasma.